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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Minneapolis, MN

Our Recommended Best Minneapolis Criminal Defense Lawyers

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Minneapolis criminal defense lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

284Reviewed

174Curated

9Top Picks

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Providers

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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Minneapolis
333 Washington Ave N Ste 405, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (70)
Google
4.9 (58)
Justia
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Arneson & Geffen, PLLC, offers criminal law solutions to locals of Minneapolis and the rest of Minnesota. It defends individuals and corporate entities who have been accused of committing white-collar crimes such as mail and wire fraud, tax evasion, computer identity theft, money laundering, and insider trading. It also accommodates individuals who are facing charges for drug crimes, traffic violations, and criminal sexual conduct. The legal practice is led by a former prosecutor and former assistant attorney general.

Mark Arneson has been named among the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in Minnesota by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys. He has also been recognized as a Rising Star by the Minneapolis Magazine under its law and politics section. Mark graduated with magna cum laude honors from the William Mitchell College of Law.

  • Theft & Burglary
  • Assault
  • Domestic Violence
  • Juvenile Crimes
  • Criminal Defense
  • Federal Crime
  • Expungement
  • Sex Crimes

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Minneapolis
121 S 8th St Ste 893, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (113)
Avvo
5.0 (21)
Facebook
5.0 (16)

Why choose this provider?

With over 25 years of combined experience, the team at Lundgren & Johnson, PSC, has been addressing the legal needs of defendants in Minneapolis and surrounding towns in Minnesota. The firm hires private detectives and expert witnesses to help its clients develop their defense strategy. It advocates for its client's best interests in the courtroom to assist them in obtaining the most favorable outcomes for their cases. It also negotiates settlements or plea deals to assist clients in getting lesser punishments.

David R. Lundgren is permitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and the Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. The National Trial Lawyers has named him one of Minnesota's top 100 criminal defense practitioners. He also earned the Super Lawyers Rising Star designation from 2019 to 2024.

  • Assault Crimes
  • Burglary
  • Domestic Violence

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Minneapolis
210 W Grant St #114,, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (38)
Avvo
5.0 (13)
Facebook
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Carson J. Heefner specializes in criminal defense, offering over 25 years of experience handling cases ranging from minor offenses to serious felonies across Minnesota. Based in Minneapolis, the practice defends clients in state and federal courts, with expertise in areas such as DUI/DWI, drug crimes, assault, and murder. Its work includes securing notable results, such as dismissal of charges, reduced sentences, and successful appeals. The firm is recognized for its thorough case preparation and leveraging legal precedents to challenge government overreach effectively.

Carson J. Heefner has handled more than 60 appeals before the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court, as well as over 2000 cases, from speeding to murder. He is a graduate of the National College for DUI Defense.

  • Drug Crimes
  • Domestic Violence
  • Juvenile Crimes

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Minneapolis
7825 Washington Ave S Ste 220, Bloomington, MN 55439

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Led by a former prosecutor with more than 30 years of legal experience, Kans Law Firm LLC is open to individuals who need criminal defense solutions in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The law firm defends those who have been accused of committing white-collar crimes like credit card fraud, identity theft, insider trading, forgery, and embezzlement. It also represents individuals who are facing charges for drug sales and distribution, DUI and DWI, domestic violence, assault, and sex crimes.

Douglas T. Kans devotes his practice to criminal law and DWI cases. He has been named among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association. Douglas is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the National College for DUI Defense.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Minneapolis
1622 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (46)
Yelp
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Keegan Law Office is a private practice serving individuals and families in Minneapolis and across Minnesota. It provides aggressive representation to those who have been accused of different charges and are in need of criminal defense. The firm protects clients' rights by building strong arguments and guiding them during state or federal court proceedings. It takes on violent crimes, including burglary, kidnapping, murder, domestic violence, and assault. It also handles insurance fraud, embezzlement, and prostitution cases. The law office restored a client's firearm rights who was convicted of felony fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Kelly Keegan has been practicing law since 2006. She served as the president of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers from 2019 to 2020. She maintains affiliations with the Minnesota Foundation for Criminal Justice and the National Association of Women Lawyers.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Minneapolis
5500 Wayzata Boulevard, Golden Valley, MN 55416

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (58)
FindLaw
5.0 (14)
Avvo
5.0 (9)

Why choose this provider?

Mankey Law Office supports people dealing with criminal defense cases in Minneapolis and throughout Minnesota. It aggressively assesses each case during consultations and provides straightforward solutions to minimize the impact of a criminal charge. It works with expert investigators and independent laboratories to collect evidence and conduct tests. It handles matters involving child pornography, sexual assault, prostitution, theft, and burglary. It also addresses cases related to drug distribution and trafficking and weapon offenses. The firm successfully secured the freedom of a client charged with multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct.

Matthew Mankey has been practicing law since 1992 and was accepted onto the Criminal Justice Panel in 1997. He obtained his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law. He is a former member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Minneapolis
4501 Minnetonka Blvd Ste 100, Minneapolis, MN 55416

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (196)
Avvo
5.0 (21)
Facebook
4.5 (15)

Why choose this provider?

Leveraging two decades of legal experience, Appelman Law Firm offers criminal defense representation to the people in Minneapolis and across Minnesota. Its legal team familiarizes itself with an accused individual's personal history and the specifics of their case, including all relevant details and available evidence, to develop and execute a tailored defense strategy aimed at exonerating them or reducing their culpability. The practice works with clients on drug, assault, theft, traffic, criminal sexual conduct, and prostitution charges.

Founder and solo practitioner Avery Appelman earned his Juris Doctorate in 1996 from the Syracuse University College of Law. His firm is primarily recognized for its work with Minnesota DWI and related offenses but is also experienced in handling other criminal cases. Avery does volunteer work for several organizations in Minneapolis, Maple Grove, and throughout the Twin Cities.

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Minneapolis
222 S 9th St, Suite 1600, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (13)
Avvo
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Led by a trial attorney who delivers results, including a dismissal of first-degree criminal sexual conduct allegations after a year of contested litigation, Tyler Bliss Attorney-at-Law provides comprehensive criminal defense representation in cases ranging from serious felonies and financial crimes to appeals and post-conviction relief. Serving Minneapolis and the rest of Minnesota, the firm handles complex legal matters, including government investigations, medical and securities fraud, and violent offenses. It assists clients in state and federal courts, emphasizing evidence-based strategies and tailored legal approaches.

Tyler Bliss brings over a decade of experience handling criminal law. He is recognized for his legal acumen, having been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star for multiple years. He obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Minnesota Law School.

  • Domestic Violence
  • DWI/DUI

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Minneapolis
333 South Seventh Street Suite 2850, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (7)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Thomas P. Leavitt Criminal Defense PLLC protects the rights of people in Minneapolis. It defends individuals across Minnesota who are facing penalties and imprisonment due to allegations of committing criminal offenses, such as drug and sex crimes, weapon charges, DWI, and theft. It also handles matters involving expungements, appeals, probation violations, and juvenile delinquencies. Principal attorney Thomas P. Leavitt established the law firm in 2017. One of his noteworthy victories is the dismissal of pharmacy burglary and drug charges against an 18-year-old client.

Thomas P. Leavitt obtained his J.D. from the University of St. Thomas. He also holds a bachelor's degree in political science and was a Division I scholar of the Golden Gophers. Leavitt is admitted to practice law before the Minnesota State Supreme Court.

  • Drug Crimes

Compare Best Minneapolis Criminal Defense Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Arneson & Geffen, Criminal Defense
333 Washington Ave N Ste 405, Minneapolis, MN 55401Free consultation
Lundgren & Johnson, PSC
121 S 8th St Ste 893, Minneapolis, MN 55402Free Consultation
Carson J. Heefner
210 W Grant St #114,, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Kans Law Firm LLC
7825 Washington Ave S Ste 220, Bloomington, MN 55439
Keegan Law Office
1622 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Mankey Law Office
5500 Wayzata Boulevard, Golden Valley, MN 55416
Appelman Law Firm
4501 Minnetonka Blvd Ste 100, Minneapolis, MN 55416
Tyler Bliss Attorney-at-Law
222 S 9th St, Suite 1600, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Thomas P. Leavitt Criminal Defense PLLC
333 South Seventh Street Suite 2850, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Minneapolis, MN Criminal Defense FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Minneapolis, Minnesota?

    311 is the non-emergency contact number for the Minneapolis Police Department.

  • Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Minneapolis, Minnesota?

    Copies of police reports for incidents related to a criminal case in Minneapolis can be obtained from the Records Information Unit of the Minneapolis Police Department. It can be contacted at 612-673-2961 and Police-RecordsInformationUnit@minneapolismn.gov.

  • How much does a criminal defense attorney cost in Minneapolis?

    Criminal defense attorney fees in Minneapolis vary depending on the charges defendants face and the challenges in their cases. There is no formula for determining what a specific attorney might cost because every attorney sets his or her own rate. A retainer fee for a criminal defense attorney is usually higher for a complex case than for a simple one. Attorneys with years of experience who only take on large-scale cases may charge exorbitant fees just to take the case.

  • How do motorists who lost their driver’s licenses due to a DWI conviction in Minneapolis get a work permit or limited license?

    Minneapolis drivers convicted of DWI must wait from 15 days to one year to get a limited driver’s license or work permit. The specified mandatory waiting period is based on several factors, including the number of prior DWIs they have and whether they took the breath analyzer test or not. The services of an experienced criminal defense lawyer are recommended because of the growing complexity of DWI law, including penalties and defenses.

  • Is self-representation in court an option for defendants in Minneapolis?

    No, because it is difficult for defendants in Minneapolis to handle their own criminal cases competently. Although they have the right to represent themselves in court, their legal knowledge is limited in comparison to that of a qualified criminal defense attorney. An experienced lawyer also understands how community pressures affect criminal cases.

  • Is a public defender a good option for defendants in Minneapolis?

    Individuals facing a criminal charge in Minneapolis are advised to seek a qualified criminal defense lawyer to secure the best possible outcome. Defendants may be able to receive a state- or government-appointed public defender to represent them. Although public defenders have experience handling many criminal cases, they usually have large caseloads.

  • Do criminal cases in Minneapolis get dismissed if a police officer fails to read a suspect's rights?

    No, case dismissal due to the failure of a police officer to read a suspect's Miranda Rights is a misconception in Minneapolis and throughout the state of Minnesota. Miranda rights only apply if the officer asks questions while a suspect is in custody. If their rights are not read to them, it could mean that their statements cannot be used against them at their trial.